Fresh off their triumphant victory in the Inaugural Leagues Cup just days earlier, Inter Miami CF continued their winning momentum as they faced off against FC Cincinnati in a thrilling encounter. The match ended with Inter Miami prevailing 5-4 in a penalty shootout after an electrifying 3-3 draw during regular and extra time, securing their spot in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final. The dramatic showdown unfolded before a sold-out crowd of 25,513 at TQL Stadium on a Wednesday night.
As the match began, both teams braved sweltering heat with a heat index temperature surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the challenging conditions, the players showcased their determination, setting the stage for a high-energy clash.
The initial phases of the game demonstrated promising spells of possession and build-up toward goal from both sides. Encouraged by their home crowd, FC Cincinnati seized the opportunity to strike first. A moment of brilliance from Lucho Acosta in the 18th minute led to the game’s opening goal. Acosta’s forward drive from the left flank resulted in a pass that deflected off Inter Miami’s Tomás Avilés, ultimately reaching teammate Aaron Boupendza. Boupendza’s header at the top of the box set up Acosta, who continued his run and delivered a left-footed strike past Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender, and into the net.
In response, Inter Miami launched a spirited counterattack just three minutes later, as Lionel Messi skillfully fed Diego Gómez into the penalty area. However, FC Cincinnati’s goalkeeper, Alec Kann, made a crucial point-blank save to deny Gómez’s shot.
Inter Miami continued to press forward, creating opportunities to level the score before half-time. Brazilian midfielder Jean Mota unleashed a powerful 25-yard effort, narrowly missing the target as the ball curled left of Kann’s goal. Soon after, USMNT full-back DeAndre Yedlin found Gómez near the post, but the Argentine’s header narrowly missed the mark.
As the first half drew to a close, FC Cincinnati extended their lead to 2-0, with USMNT forward Brandon Vazquez finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute. A perfectly executed pass over Inter Miami’s defense by Santiago Arias found Vazquez, who expertly converted a powerful shot past Callender and inside the left post.
Undeterred by the two-goal deficit, Inter Miami rallied behind Lionel Messi, who showcased his set-piece prowess. Messi’s perfectly lofted free-kick found Leonardo Campana, who headed the ball into the net from six yards out, narrowing the gap to 2-1 in the 68th minute.
The dynamic Messi-Campana duo struck again in the dying moments of the second half, equalizing the score in the 97th minute. Messi’s precision cross from the left provided Campana with an opportunity to outjump defenders and head the ball past Kann, sending the match into extra time.
Energized by their late equalizer, Inter Miami seized the lead within three minutes of extra time. A misplaced pass from FC Cincinnati allowed Jordi Alba to quickly set up Inter Miami’s Homegrown Player, Benjamin Cremaschi. The 18-year-old swiftly fed the ball to Josef Martínez, who fired a low shot past Kann, giving Inter Miami a 3-2 advantage.
However, FC Cincinnati responded with determination. In the 114th minute, substitutes Bret Hasley and Yuya Kubo orchestrated a play that led to Kubo’s precise finish, tying the score at 3-3 and forcing a penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout proved to be a tense affair. The first four rounds saw all eight players successfully convert their spot kicks. Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender, continued his penalty-saving heroics as he denied Cincinnati native Nick Hagglund’s fifth-round attempt, ensuring a dramatic victory for his team.
With the triumph, Inter Miami secured a spot in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, where they will face the winner of the second semifinal match between Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake. The final is set to take place on September 27, as Inter Miami aims to add a second trophy to their successful year.
In a match filled with twists and turns, remarkable performances, and heart-stopping moments, Inter Miami CF’s journey in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup continues to captivate fans and showcase their resilience on the field.
- LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP MATCH REPORT –
Fixture: FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami CF
Date: August 23, 2023
Competition: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal
Location: TQL Stadium; Cincinnati, Ohio
Attendance: 25,513 (sold-out)
Kickoff: 7:05 p.m. ET
Weather: 83 degrees; Partially cloudy
Scoring Summary:
1st Half 2nd Half Overtime Final Penalty Kicks
CIN: 1 1 1 3 4
MIA: 0 2 1 3 5
Goals:
CIN – Luciano Acosta (Assisted by Aaron Boupendza) – 18th minute
CIN – Brandon Vazquez (Assisted by Santiago Arias) – 53rd minute
MIA – Leonardo Campana (Assisted by Lionel Messi) – 68th minute
MIA – Leonardo Campana (Assisted by Lionel Messi) – 90+7th minute
MIA – Josef Martínez (Assisted by Benjamin Cremaschi) – 93rd minute
CIN – Yuya Kubo – 114th minute
Penalty Kicks:
CIN: Yuya Kubo – scored, Santiago Arias – scored, Sergio Santos – scored, Matt Miazga – scored, Nick Hagglund – saved
MIA: Lionel Messi – scored, Facundo Farías – scored, David Ruiz – scored, Josef Martínez – scored, Benjamin Cremaschi – scored
Starting Lineups:
CIN: Alec Kann, Nick Hagglund, Obinna Nwobodo, Aaron Boupendza, Luciano Acosta (Capt.), Santiago Arias, Brandon Vazquez, Matt Miazga, Álvaro Barreal, Ian Murphy, Junior Moreno
Substitutes not used: Roman Celentano
Head coach: Patrick Noonan
MIA: Drake Callender, DeAndre Yedlin, Sergio Busquets, Tomás Avilés, Jean Mota, Diego Gómez, Leonardo Campana, Lionel Messi (Capt.), Jordi Alba, Sergii Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller
Substitutes not used: CJ Dos Santos
Head coach: Gerardo Martino
Match Statistics:
CIN / MIA
Shots: 22 / 11
Shots on Goal: 9 / 6
Saves: 3 / 6
Corner Kicks: 6 / 2
Fouls: 22 / 18
Offside: 2 / 0
Misconduct:
MIA – Jordi Alba (yellow card) – 24th minute
CIN – Obinna Nwobodo (yellow card) – 31st minute
MIA – Jean Mota (yellow card) – 41st minute
MIA – Tomás Avilés (yellow card) – 70th minute
MIA – Sergii Kryvtsov (yellow card) – 80th minute
MIA – Gerardo Martino (yellow card) – 80th minute
CIN – Luciano Acosta (yellow card) – 85th minute
CIN – Álvaro Barreal (yellow card) – 90th minute
Match Officials:
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Assistant Referee 1: Luis Uranga
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Bigelow
4th Official: Eric Tattersall
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.
Assistant VAR: Thomas Supple